A Process Paper describes how you decided on a topic, conducted your research, and created your project.
Process Paper
Theme
My topic relates to the themes of reaction and reform. Charles Norris reformed the medico-legal system as Chief Medical Examiner in New York in the Progressive Era by removing corruption and following scientific principles. His appointment was a reaction to Leonard Walestein’s Report on New York City’s government institutions, which declared the coroner system was a failure. This topic is significant to our country’s history because Norris’ reformations set standards for crime scene investigations, forensics, and the scientific principles used in the medico-legal system today. He began the Golden Age of Forensics in America.
Topic
I am planning to study criminology in college. This interest lead me to read Deborah Blum’s Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York last fall. It amazed me that at one point in our Nation’s History we allowed incompetent, corrupt people to be in charge of crime scene investigation. This made me want to know about Charles Norris and his reformation of the coroner system, which intrigued me. I discovered that during the Progressive Era, our country went through radical changes such as prohibition, labor laws, and suffrage. This period motivated the people in New York to change the medico-legal system.
Research
I conducted my research by looking up articles and books on Morehead State University’s online library loan site. After this I created an account on the New York Times Archives Website.
I wanted primary sources to get a real look at the past from the perspectives of people who witnessed the changes in the coroner system, and make sure the secondary resources were accurate. I used the NewYork Times to look up newspaper articles from the 1920’s. I then contacted Dr.Will Kayatin who explained the Progressive Era and Tammany Hall. I interviewed him for my documentary. He then gave me books on the Progressive Era. I created my thesis statement, which allowed me to form question that I wanted to answer. These questions helped me organize my information. I then typed up my facts and created my script. Finally, I interviewed Special FBI Agent, Mary Trotman, who explained the significance of Dr. Norris’ work today.
Documentary
In my house we have an abundance of technology. At my school I have made podcast and iMovies for school projects, and I have created iMovies for fun. In the 1900s we had a technology revolution creating the photographs and recorded music to help me represent this era.
My first step in creating my documentary was to make a storyboard where I matched the lines from my script to photographs. I then researched music from this era and purchased them from iTunes. I recorded my script in Garage Band; then compressed the podcast into a music file. Using iMovie, I was able to add pictures then add my voice-overs. I finally added music and credits.
A Bibliography is a list of your primary and secondary resources that you used.
A Process Paper describes how you decided on a topic, conducted your research, and created your project.
Process Paper
Theme
My topic relates to the themes of reaction and reform. Charles Norris reformed the medico-legal system as Chief Medical Examiner in New York in the Progressive Era by removing corruption and following scientific principles. His appointment was a reaction to Leonard Walestein’s Report on New York City’s government institutions, which declared the coroner system was a failure. This topic is significant to our country’s history because Norris’ reformations set standards for crime scene investigations, forensics, and the scientific principles used in the medico-legal system today. He began the Golden Age of Forensics in America.Topic
I am planning to study criminology in college. This interest lead me to read Deborah Blum’s Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York last fall. It amazed me that at one point in our Nation’s History we allowed incompetent, corrupt people to be in charge of crime scene investigation. This made me want to know about Charles Norris and his reformation of the coroner system, which intrigued me. I discovered that during the Progressive Era, our country went through radical changes such as prohibition, labor laws, and suffrage. This period motivated the people in New York to change the medico-legal system.Research
I conducted my research by looking up articles and books on Morehead State University’s online library loan site. After this I created an account on the New York Times Archives Website.I wanted primary sources to get a real look at the past from the perspectives of people who witnessed the changes in the coroner system, and make sure the secondary resources were accurate. I used the NewYork Times to look up newspaper articles from the 1920’s. I then contacted Dr.Will Kayatin who explained the Progressive Era and Tammany Hall. I interviewed him for my documentary. He then gave me books on the Progressive Era. I created my thesis statement, which allowed me to form question that I wanted to answer. These questions helped me organize my information. I then typed up my facts and created my script. Finally, I interviewed Special FBI Agent, Mary Trotman, who explained the significance of Dr. Norris’ work today.
Documentary
In my house we have an abundance of technology. At my school I have made podcast and iMovies for school projects, and I have created iMovies for fun. In the 1900s we had a technology revolution creating the photographs and recorded music to help me represent this era.My first step in creating my documentary was to make a storyboard where I matched the lines from my script to photographs. I then researched music from this era and purchased them from iTunes. I recorded my script in Garage Band; then compressed the podcast into a music file. Using iMovie, I was able to add pictures then add my voice-overs. I finally added music and credits.
A Bibliography is a list of your primary and secondary resources that you used.
These are my National Process Paper and Bibliography.NHD Process paper Bibliography
The National History website provides tips on how to create a bibliography. How to create a bibliography
The National Website also provides sample Process Papers. Process Paper Examples